Several foreign embassies in Ukraine shutter after “significant” air attack threat

According to Espreso correspondent Kateryna Halko, a representative of the U.S. Embassy stated, "The closure of the embassy is due to air alerts, including the heightened risk of a combined attack using drones and missiles, as occurred recently. We continue to monitor the situation and cooperate with our Ukrainian partners.”

He clarified that the closure of the embassy is not related to Russia's statement about lowering the threshold for a nuclear strike, "No. The closure of the embassy is related to the current threat of air attacks.”

For security reasons, the embassy in Kyiv will be closed, and the staff of the diplomatic mission was ordered to immediately take cover in case of an air raid alert. The institution's website informed on November 20.

The embassy urged U.S. citizens to follow updates in local media and identify the locations of nearby shelters.

“Immediately take shelter if an air alert is announced. Follow the directions of Ukrainian officials and first responders in the event of an emergency,” the statement said.

According to Agencia EFE, Spain has closed its embassy in Kyiv due to a "possible major air attack" on the city. 

The Italian Embassy announced it would suspend operations, closing to visitors but keeping diplomats working. It urged all Italian citizens in Ukraine to follow strict safety measures and take shelter during air alerts.

The Greek Embassy also remains closed for security reasons and advised people to avoid travel and stay in safe places.

Ukraine's response

Against the backdrop of these reports from the U.S. Embassy, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, noted that Russia had been stockpiling missiles for a series of attacks on Ukraine for months, including Kh-101s, Kalibrs, and ballistic missiles.

“Russia has aviation and missile stockpiles at strategic aviation airfields and warehouses ready for attacks. Also ships,” Kovalenko said.

He advised Ukrainians to always “keep this in mind” and to respond to alarms.

Later, the press service of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the embassies' statements. 

"Today, the media reported that the U.S. Embassy and some other diplomatic missions of foreign countries in Ukraine have temporarily switched to remote work. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in constant contact with partners regarding potential security threats," the ministry said in a statement.

They emphasized that the threat of a Russian attack has been a daily reality for Ukrainians for more than 1,000 days. On this 1,001st day of the full-scale invasion, the threat of Russian attacks remains just as relevant as it was in the previous thousand days.

"We believe it would be appropriate for our partners to respond on the 1,001st day in the same manner as in the previous thousand days, without any additional influx of information," added Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Ukrainian citizens to remain vigilant, heed air raid warnings, and take cover in case of danger, as they do whenever there is a threat of a Russian missile attack.

• On the morning of November 19, Russian forces launched attack UAVs targeting Ukraine. Air defense systems were activated multiple times in the Kyiv region, and explosions were reported in the capital.